Summer “chill”

Tuesday, 8/19/14. Is it written somewhere in Murphy’s Laws that as soon as one step forward is taken, it’s imperative that two steps backwards will occur? That seems to be the way we’ve lived over the past two years. House renovations — not exactly like it’s portrayed on HGTV. Don’t get me wrong — I can find all sorts of ways to make the best of it: teaches patience — at least it tries your patience, so you either have to learn the lesson or just go systematically crazy. It just takes a really long time to get things done right. I’ve come to realize that things are never done right the first time, so just get over it. Right? Try to keep your head about you when all around you are losing theirs. This particularly applies when the PM (project manager) has completely given up or lost interest, or something. That has happened. I am pretty sure he has washed his hands of our job. Why do I care so much and why does he care so little? Oh, yeah — he isn’t as monetarily invested in the outcome as we are. Maybe he has gained enough on this job and has now moved onto the next one, both mentally and physically. BUT — it’s not quite complete.

So, how does one make good sense of this, without pulling every remaining strand of hair out of one’s head? Nothing is perfect, not in this life, anyway. Just realizing this in a real sense, and learning to live happily with this fact, is a true life lesson. I’ve just turned 60 — it’s about time I learned this lesson.

Why do we expect things to be done right? Why do we expect fairness? Why do we expect justice? There is something inside of us that yearns for the script to turn out the way we want it to turn out. We want others to care as much as we do about something that is important to us. Do I care as much about something important to those I love as they do? If it matters to me to be taken seriously and treated respectfully, then I definitely need to be willing to offer the same.

While living in Shanghai, we came across construction going on just about everywhere we went. Often there was a sign in Chinese with the English translation following: “making decorations.” Love that! Instead of this sentiment: “we’re sorry for this huge mess!”, the explanation was: “we’re busy making decorations so that things will be better for you!” If I can keep in mind that we’re nearing the end of our long spell of making decorations, that should suffice to convince my impatient self to just “chill.”

Psalm 39: 4-7

“Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.
Remind me that my days are numbered—
how fleeting my life is.
5 You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand.
My entire lifetime is just a moment to you;
at best, each of us is but a breath.” Interlude
6 We are merely moving shadows,
and all our busy rushing ends in nothing.
We heap up wealth,
not knowing who will spend it.
7 And so, Lord, where do I put my hope?
My only hope is in you.”